The Bully (Calamity Montana #4)(2)

The last thing I wanted was to wear out my welcome before I even had a Montana address. Besides, hotel rooms had become a constant over the years. Before games. After games. I’d spent countless nights sleeping on borrowed pillows.

“Kerrigan’s on her way to meet us,” Pierce said. “She took Elias to the park while we were on the road.”

“’Kay.” I did another sweep of downtown, capturing names of stores and restaurants.

Pierce had picked me up from the airport in Bozeman earlier, and we’d spent the two-hour trip to Calamity catching up. Next time, I’d have my charter fly me directly here like I had on my other trips, but I’d wanted to scope out the larger airport today and get a feel for the surrounding area.

If I was going to live here, I wanted to recognize streets and neighborhoods. I wanted to find the best spot for breakfast and join Kerrigan’s fitness studio. I turned around and faced The Refinery. Kerrigan had designed it with a modern vibe, a hint of new in this old town with large, gleaming windows that overlooked the street.

“I’m going to pop in to The Refinery. Grab a class schedule,” I told Pierce.

He nodded. “I’ll wait out here.”

I weaved past people and ducked inside the studio, dragging in the scent of eucalyptus. This past year, my lower back had been bothering me, and my trainer had recommended yoga. According to Pierce, The Refinery was the only place in town with classes, so I’d be their newest member.

“Hi.” The receptionist greeted me with a smile. “Can I help you?”

“Just looking.” I scanned the space, taking in the mirrors on the longest wall and the metal cage jammed with exercise balls. I’d spent a good chunk of my life in gyms, and while this one was smaller than most, it was clean and airy. Perfect for a weekly yoga class. “Do you have a schedule?”

“Sure.” She plucked a business card from a holder on the counter, handing it over. “If you scan that with your phone, it will take you to the updated schedule on our website.”

“Thanks.” I tucked the card away, took one last look around the space, then walked outside, ready to rejoin my friends.

But my footsteps halted on the sidewalk.

Kerrigan stood beside Pierce. Her pregnant belly stretched her sundress. Next to her was Elias’s empty stroller. The two-year-old bounced around his parents’ feet as Pierce and Kerrigan crowded over a phone.

Neither of them noticed me as they smiled at the screen. And neither did the other woman in their huddle.

Nellie.

Damn. She was the one person I’d hoped to avoid for a while. Either karma was a bitch or Calamity was just that small because not five minutes into my life here and there she was.

My nemesis since high school. The perpetual thorn in my side. The woman who could crawl beneath my skin with a single, contemptuous word.

The most infuriatingly beautiful woman in the world.

Kerrigan laughed at whatever it was they were watching on the phone.

Elias wrapped his arms around her leg. “Mommy, where’s Unka Cal?”

“Um . . .” She shook her head, glancing away from the screen and straight to Nellie.

“Uncle Cal?” Nellie’s smile disappeared. “Please tell me he’s in Tennessee where he belongs.”

And just like that, our familiar game kicked off again. I unglued my feet and strode their way. “Oh, look. It’s my favorite bottle blonde.”

Nellie’s face turned to ice as she faced me. “Well, if there’s anyone in the world who should understand fake, it’s you. Fake it till you make it. That’s like the model for your career, right? Oh, sorry. Former career. I heard you got fired. Ouch.”

This woman. “I was a free agent and retired.”

“Sure,” she deadpanned.

“Can you two save it for another day?” Pierce asked. “We need to celebrate my wife.”

Celebrating? What were we celebrating?

Before I could ask, Elias raced my way. “Unka Cal!”

I picked him up and tickled his side, letting the sound of his giggles soothe any worries that this move was a mistake. This kid, with his mop of dark, wavy hair, had a piece of my heart. “Hey, buddy.”

“How about we all go to the brew—” A stream of water trickled down Kerrigan’s leg as I settled Elias on my side.

“What the fuck is that?” I asked, eyes locked on the growing puddle. Gross.

“Language,” Kerrigan snapped. “And that would be my water breaking.”

For a second, no one moved. Then Pierce flew into action, taking her arm and steering her to his SUV. “Nellie—”

“I’ve got Elias,” she said. “We’ll walk to my place.”

“He hasn’t had lunch,” Kerrigan hollered as Pierce helped her into the passenger seat.

Oh, shit. This was happening. She was having a baby. And someone needed to watch Elias.

“We’ve got him,” I called.

The color drained from Kerrigan’s face. Contraction, maybe? Or maybe she didn’t trust me to babysit. I’d never babysat before but I could keep Elias alive for a few hours. How long did it take to have a baby?

“Maybe you should just let Nel—” Pierce closed the door on Kerrigan before she could finish her sentence.